pfSense Modem/Router/Firewall/Server PC

[JoJoker]

hello again.
My newest project is a pfSense Modem/Router/Firewall/Server PC as the titles suggests.

I am going to use pfSense, a free BSD based firewall program to run a computer with the following specs:
Already have these:

• PC case is a SR5020AN Compaq
• RC415ST-HM MOBO (New motherboard?)
  With: -3 PCI slot -1 PCI-E slot -2 3.5" HDD bays -2 DDR2 ram slots -Single core 3.? CPU
• 2 Ethernet NICS

Need help choosing these:

• Wireless N card
• Internal adsl2+ modem
• 1TB HD (Maybe 2x in striping or mirroring?)
• Low power consumption PSU

In conjunction with this, i will keep my existing Belkin router to be used in bridge mode as a repeater.

The functions that this PC will perform are:

• File backup/hosting
• Printer server
• Bandwidth limiting
• Modem
• Wireless router

I need your input on which PSU, HDD, Internal modem, wireless card and of course software to buy and run. The goal is to build a PC with low power consumption but high functionality.

I think there is two options for this:

1. Basic PC with two Ethernet NICs connected to a external modem and/or router.
2. Compact all in one solution housing the modem and the wireless components

I'm not sure which approach is best.

Also if it helps, the devices connected will be:

• PS3
• 2xDesktops
• 2xMobile phones
• 4xLaptop

But there are only 5 users at any one time. The whole house is supplied by only a 1.5Mb/s connection

With all this in mind and the fact that this project i think exceeds my networking knowledge, i am letting you, the community guide me through this. Tell me what to buy and do and i will do it

 

[occamsrazor]

It would not fulfil all of your requirements, but given your low-power request, was just wondering whether you'd considered something like this...

http://www.fit-pc.com/web/fit-pc2/fit-pc2i-specifications/

 

[JoJoker]

Thats nice, but i have found another distro that would suit my requirements. eBox - http://www.ebox-platform.com/

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

While you're at it looking at other "all in one distros"...check out ClearOS..a developed branch of what was ClarkConnect. I ran one in a VM for a while to dork around with it, sort of an open sourced version of Small Business Server Premium.
http://www.clearfoundation.com/
I liked it better than eBox

 

[tipstir]

Clarkconnect was fun to use and did work before my system had cashed and gone DOA. These small systems you guys have posted looks interesting for those who don't have extra gear laying around and not being used. My issue is hardware not able to work with these Linux solutions to creating a power all-in-one router / nas / hardware firewall box.

 

[JoJoker]

Thanks i will have a look into ClearOS. Any comments on low power components?

 

[tipstir]

ClearOS look better than Clarkconnect was. I might give it a shot and get one of my old servers back up running. But the only I see the NTFS on other drives don't they get wiped but installing these OS from Linux.

 

[JoJoker]

I shall dl ClearOS